The majority of the game is in a third person perspective. This means you can see the entire body of your character. You will have a reticle on screen when static or walking. The reticle will shrink and your screen will zoom in if you hold the aim button. You can switch your perspective to first person if you have a scope or sight on your weapon. While aiming with your weapon, click the zoom button to use your weapon sights or scopes and switch to the first person perspective. But remember, you must have a weapon sight or scope in order to do this!

When an enemy is at point blank range, you don't need to aim at all. When an enemy is at medium range, it's probably best to aim without extra zoom. When an enemy is at far range, that's when you should use the first person sights and scopes. They are the most accurate for long range, but can be sketchy when firing at an enemy at close to medium range. Firing your weapon will cause the reticle to expand, or “bloom.” Bigger reticles mean your bullets will not group together as well as the smaller reticles. Optics like Reflex Sights and Scopes allow you pinpoint accuracy. Wherever the dot is, the bullet will go. However, the optics bounce around a lot more when firing from first person perspective.

Every now and then you may see a red circle with a diagonal line in the middle. This is when your weapon's barrel does not match up with the reticle on screen. The reticle may be aiming down the map, but your weapon may be behind some obstruction. Therefore, the bullets will not reach the area the reticle is pointing at. Move out from behind the obstruction or change positions to get your weapon out in the open.

Just like many shooters these days, you have the ability to stand, crouch, and go prone. Each stance gives you different accuracy and weapon sway. The closer you are to the ground, the better your accuracy will be. It is not possible to lay on your back while prone like some games. The following pictures show how great your accuracy is increased with each stance. The reticles in these pictures are not while aiming. While moving, your reticle expands and accuracy is lost.

There is a small cover system in SOCOM 4. When near a wall or anything else to hide behind, click the cover button. Your character will place it's back or side to the wall for cover. You cannot blind fire while behind cover. If you're near the edge of your cover, you can press the aim button to pop out of cover and fire your weapon. At least half of your body will be exposed. While behind a big wall of cover, you have the ability to stand or crouch and peek out of cover. While behind small cover, you have the ability to peek out of the top or side.